Laserfiche WebLink
• 1989 OBSERVATIONS - WADGE SHRUB STUDY PLOT (1986) <br />The 1988 Seneca II Revegetation hlonitoring Report describes the study plot <br />and monitoring results from 1988 field observations. The plot was again <br />evaluated in 1989. <br />Based on 1989 observations, the poorest overall species performance <br />continued to be for Gambel oak. The survival rate in the upper, or <br />non-ripped portion of the plot, was only about one percent, with no <br />apparent survivors found in the lower or ripped portion of the plot. Two <br />plants were found, and both were short, but had fair vigor. Both <br />survivors were located in the seeded portion of the plots, but in rocky <br />soils with low herbaceous cover and hence, low competition. <br />Serviceberry had only slightly better survival than Gambel oak with two <br />survivors located in the upper portion of the plot grid three survivors in <br />the lower portion of the plot. This represents approximately two percent <br />survival for the species. All survivors were found in either unseeded <br />areas of the plots or in seeded areas with low herbaceous cover. <br />Chokecherry continued to have the highest survival rate of all species at <br />34 percent. All surviving seedlings had good vigor. However, a <br />53 percent survival rate for chokecherry was found in non-seeded areas of <br />the study plot. Only 15 percent of the seedlings planted in seeded areas <br />were surviving in 1989. One chokecherry replication in the ripped portion <br />• of the plot had higher surviving numbers (31) than either of the two <br />chokecherry replications (16 to 25) in non-ripped areas. Since there were <br />no obvious benefits to other planted shrub species in the ripped plot <br />area, nor did the overall staiure and vigor of the vegetation in the <br />ripped plot appear different form the non-ripped plot, the increased <br />chokecherry survival in the replication is most likely due to other <br />variables. <br />Weedy species were still quite prevalent in the overall plot despite a <br />three year period since seeding. This may have caused a lower survival <br />count than actually is present in the plot. This is especially true if <br />survivors had died back and then root sprouted. These low growing shrubs <br />are quite difficult to detect in a heavy herbaceous overstay. <br />• <br />